Friday, June 21, 2013

Well, we're right back where we started from ... Featuring The Eagles' version this time around.Hope you enjoyed our Day in the City ...LOTS of great stops along the way.Thanks to everybody who tagged along today.

Gallery is often written off as a One Hit Wonder ...But in 1972, these guys had three straight Top 12 Hits ..."Nice To Be With You" (#1)"I Believe In Music" (#12)and this one ..."Big City Miss Ruth Ann" (#12) ...Part of our City Sweep today in Forgotten Hits!

Years ago we did a City To City Sweep asking readers to Show Us Your Hits ...And quite a few of you responded with some of your local, regional favorites.Here's Gerry Rafferty singing the title track to the album that put him on the map, thanks to the big "Baker Street".

Today is the Official First Day Of Summer ...And while we didn't do our Summer Favorites Poll this year, we DID come up with a way to feature the song that has topped that chart for the past ten years ... EVERY time we've ever polled our readers!!!Here are The Lovin' Spoonful and "Summer In The City" ... part of our Forgotten Hits City Sweep today!

You're invited to spend the whole day with us today as Forgotten Hits visits The City ... new postings every half hour until midnight ... check back often for updates!

*****

Before he cut it with The Eagles, Joe Walsh recorded and released his OWN version of the now Classic Rock Classic "In The City". (Joe's version was recorded for "The Warriors" motion picture movie soundtrack).

Personally, I found it rather odd that he re-recorded the track with The Eagles ... I always liked his original version just fine!

And this is a GREAT way to kick off our Day In The City in Forgotten Hits! (In fact, we'll bookend the day with these tracks ... but be sure to check back throughout the day to see what else we've included in between during our special Friday City Sweep ... 'cause we'll be posting brand new surprises every half hour throughout the day today!)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

I guess you would say "Precious and Few" are the comments we've heard about Sonny Geraci, I would love to dig into myself but "Time Won't Let Me!".
O Well, Dave Zane shared some real encouraging news the other day ... I'm hoping he'll report back to us again after talking to Sonny. (kk)

And, speaking of Dave Zane, here's a couple of shots of Dave front and center, performing with The Buckinghams, courtesy of FH Reader Eileen, from a show she saw in Atlantic City. (That's Carl Giammarese on the left and Nick Fortuna on the right) ...

re: THE BUCKINGHAMS: I just saw your comments about The Buckinghams. Old age setting in, but I thought I'd sent you pix and a video from seeing them at VetRock Concert in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. If not, here they are!

The video quality wasn't too great, as it was very windy ... but here is a link to Hey Baby, They're Playin' Our Song!

re: THIS AND THAT: Hi Kent: “You Know What I Mean” was a big Turtles hit in Milwaukee as well. As high as #2 here! An interesting Pat Boone gem you might listen to is “Beach Girl” from ’64. Flip side is his rendition of “Little Honda”! Can’t lose here! Ken We featured Pat's stabs at surf music a while back in Forgotten Hits ... at this point proven artists were trying just about ANYTHING to get their records on the radio and on the charts. The British Invasion was in full swing ... and the West Coast Sounds of The Beach Boys, The Motown Sound out of Detroit and East Coast artists like The Four Seasons were tearing up the airwaves. (kk)

And, speaking of artists currently on The Happy Together Tour, Examiner columnist Jeremy Roberts tells us that former Paul Revere and the Raiders lead singer and front man Mark Lindsay has written and recorded a song with Brian Wilson that just may appear on the latter's brand new album ... Click here: Rock 'n' roller Mark Lindsay discusses his debut collaboration with Brian Wilson - National Pop Culture | Examiner And it sounds like Mark Lindsay has a brand new solo release coming, out too! (Mark is currently touring as part of the Happy Together Tour, 2013 ... and we're hoping to see him when they stop by in Chicago later next month.) kk

Kent ... Saturday, 6/22/13, at the State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New JerseyShow Time = 7:00 PM The show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM's Sixties On Six channel. Lineup = All artists played at the original Palisades Park ... Neil Sedaka // Lesley Gore // Ronnie Spector // Bobby Lewis // Vito Picone & the Elegants // J.T. Carter's Crests // Randy & the Rainbows + others. I know what you're thinking, Kent ... what, no Freddy Cannon?!?! They say it couldn't be arranged. Cousin Brucie will talk to Freddy on the phone. Frank B. Now THAT would be an amazing show to see ... please report back to us with a full review. Thanks, Frank! (kk)

Hey Kent,When I was in college, my "hero"
in broadcasting was Casey Kasem, followed by Roger W. Morgan. Roger made a
name by "Morganizing" famous people on his morning drive. He also had a really
good syndicated show, "Rock 'N' Roll Rewind", before he moved to the Virgin
Islands. Now he lives in New Mexico and is in radio sales, which I think is a
waste, because he is so good on the air. He does produce a new show, "Rock 'N'
Roll Rewind Minute", another syndicated program, that features interviews with
various recording artists, from the 60s through the 80s. Have you ever heard the
show or know how we can get it? I think it might be a nice addition to your
site.

- John LaPuzza

I'm familiar with ROBERT W.
Morgan ... is there a deejay named ROGER W. Morgan, too? (Robert W. Morgan died
in 1998) Meanwhile, I did find an interview with Roger W. Morgan from a few
years ago, too ... you can check it out via the link below:

The other day we told you about Big
Jay Sorensen's Birthday Bash on WCBS-FM. (We drove 13 hours that day so crashed
out before I had a chance to listen!) But here's a report from FH Reader Frank
B:

Kent ...

I forced myself to listen to
WCBS-FM, cause I wanted to hear Big Jay Sorenson's Birthday Party. Pause
... waiting for you to stop laughing.

The truth is - I was in bed
listening on my clock radio.

Highlight of the show
...

Some woman calls in to wish Big Jay
a Happy Birthday. Started out as typical call ... I listen to you all the time
... You are one of my favorites. ... "Happy Birthday James."

Big Jay tries to correct her.
Of course she won't let him get a word in. Big Jay is laughing and still trying
to correct her. He gives up and continues laughing.Bottom line = Call starts
and ends with "Happy Birthday James."Ask Big Jay about it, next time you
talk to him.Frank B.

Too funny.
Obviously, a MAJOR Big Jay fan!!! (lol) kk

Good Morning Kent,

What a brilliant maneuver to reach
the two million hits (sorry if I got the number wrong ... after all, I am a
senior ha ha) You should easily reach your goal.

I love Music. Of course I am from
Bawston (home of the Future Stanley Cup Champions!) so I respect the fact that
your emphasis is parochial to your home town Chicahgo.

Your overall love of all things
music comes through loud and clear. I may not read your Newsletter top to
bottom, but I do review every iteration you send. I would not go so far as to
say I would pay to subscribe but if you can benefit by extra 'hits' I am all for
it. You deserve something for all the work you do.

The features you proscribe are lots
of fun, the detail of your research is superb, and the broadness of the subject
matter is unmatched. I am mainly interested in the early years through the early
70's, but I try to stay alert to newer offerings (Josh Turner, DJ Otz, Darius
Rucker, Zac Brown Band 'Your Man', remix 'Hey Baby', 'Wagon Wheel, 'Toes' -
'Chicken Fried' respectively) I feel the Country artists are the new Rock N Roll
replacements with respect to fun upbeat music. I am not too interested in the
band members although I do have opinions on who are the leading guitarists, what
I am trying to say is that I enjoy most of your Newsletter and will continue to
read it faithfully.

I love Marty Robbins and all his
songs it would be hard for someone to 'steal' one of his songs and make it their
own. Having said that, I have recently had the pleasure to hear Bob Wier of the
Greatfull Dead, a group I never had any interest in (perhaps I am growing as a
listener?), but I fell in love with his 'Mexicali Blues', a really fun message
song, which led me to his version of 'Big Iron'. He re-invigorates that song
with his marvelous guitar playing so now I can enjoy two versions of a great
song, and I am sure Marty would approve of his tweaking.

Thank you again for your wonderful
Newsletter and keep up the good work.

CharlieOFD (AOL Music Oldies /
Oldies Music chatroom)

Dang! It never dawned on me to
have folks go to the website first to resubscribe!!! You're right ... that would
have pushed me over the two million mark a whole lot sooner. (Kicking myself
right now!) But hey, we want you to go there because you enjoy what we do ...
nothing more really. I'm not familiar with Bob Weir's version of "Big Iron" ...
will have to check it out! (kk)

Hi Kent -

Furvus here. We've been recording
more lately so I haven't been writing in as much, but I read them all and NEED them all - and need them to
keep coming!!!!

Was tempted to write in when that
Ding Dong / Thatcher thing was going on in England, but really didn't want to get us involved in all that or do
what to some might look like we
were politicizing what we do or worse politicizing what we do just to make a
buck.

We do have some limits. Not many
obviously - but some.

Ken / I mean Furv

The Fifth Estate

Always good to hear from you, Furv
... keep us posted regarding these new recordings! (kk)

FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us a
couple of video clips from The Songwriters Hall Of Fame Ceremony last week ...
how cool to see Mick Jones and Lou Gramm bury the hatchet and perform together
again! And congrats again to our FH Buddy Tony Hatch ... FINALLY recognized
after a long-overdue absence. (kk)

I've missed this every time so far ... caught little bits and
pieces here and there ... but need to see the whole thing from start to finish.
Check your local listings to see when this will be airing in your area. What an
incredible body of work! (kk)

And, one more legendary songwriter ... this just in from FH Reader
David Lewis:

Monday, June 17, 2013

Here is a quick follow-up on a couple of things that came up last week ...And a little bit of "new news" too!

re:
WADSWORTH MANSION: >>>Wadsworth Mansion was a one hit wonder band out of Los
Angeles, CA, consisting of brothers Mike (drums) and Steve (keyboards, guitar
and lead vocals) Jablecki along with Wayne Gagnon (lead guitar) and John Poole
(bass). "Sweet Mary" climbed all the way to #7 in Billboard Magazine right as
winter was turning into spring in 1971 ... and they pretty much disappeared
after that. (It performed even better in Cash Box and Record World, peaking at
#5 in both publications ... yet, despite its Top Ten status, you rarely hear
"Sweet Mary" anymore ... and that's a shame because this is a REAL catchy
tune.) Here in Chicago it went all the way to #2. (Here's hoping we've
inspired a jock or two on the list to feature this one today ... a GREAT
Forgotten Hit!)
kkFrom LA? Or
Providence? David Lewis Glad you were able to work
Wadsworth Mansion's "Sweet Mary" into Forgotten Hits -- and you used the version
which ends cold. For some reason, some pressings of the original single fade
out instead -- and the cold ending version is the most satisfying. The LP and
single versions are also different. Aside from being a band, Wadsworth Mansion
is also a real 19th century country estate in Middletown, CT. The band, on the
other hand, was from Providence, RI. They performed their hit at least once on
TV -- on "The Dating Game"! Gary
Theroux

I got my Hollywood / LA
information from two source ... Wayne Jancik's "Billboard Book of One Hit
Wonders" and Joel Whitburn's "Top Pop Singles". Jancik's book admits that
Wadsworth Mansion was probably the one artist with the LEAST amount of
information available ... but states that "Sweet Mary" was cut at the legendary
Hollywood Recorders. Whitburn's book typically references information found on
an artist's LP or bios released by the PR Department of any given record label,
often cited in Billboard when announcing new music ... so the Providence, RI
comments were a surprise to me. Doing a quick Google search of my own, I see
that they're listed that way on Wikipedia (but have learned hundreds of times
over the years not to trust this information as gospel) ... so I dug a little
deeper. I found another website that showed that Lead Singer (and songwriter of
"Sweet Mary") Steve Jablecki died in 2005 and listed him as being from
Pawtucket, RI. I also found a Facebook listing for his brother Michael based
out of Rhode Island ... so I appear to stand corrected on this
one. While Wadsworth Mansion's
biggest hit was "Sweet Mary" (#5, 1971), a second single titled "Michigan Harry
Slaughter" did reach #99 on The Cash Box Chart later that same year. (Still
makes them a One Hit Wonder in MY book!!! But a really GOOD one at
that!) kk

re: SONNY GERACI: >>> I
have a question regarding Sonny Geraci. Is he still in coma or out of it or
what? I have not seen anything on the Internet and I was just wondering have
you heard anything. (Stephanie
Campbell)>>>We haven't had an
update in awhile now ... but last we heard, Sonny was doing great! Making a
REMARKABLE recovery after a couple of major brain surgeries. His daughter
shared the news with us by way of Dennis Tufano ... but you're right, we haven't
heard any news in quite a while ... so I guess we'll have to ask for an update
ourselves! (kk)

I ran this inquiry by Dennis
Tufano but didn't hear anything back ... so I also asked guitarist Dave Zane, a
one-time member of Sonny's touring band (and currently playing lead guitar for
The Buckinghams.) Dave has also shared the stage with The Cryan' Shames and Jim
Pilster's Chicago Gold Series ... and also plays regularly with a couple of
other bands here in the area. He and Sonny are pretty close ... so I was hoping
that maybe HE could bring us up to speed on Sonny's condition. And while he
hasn't talked to Geraci since Super Bowl Sunday, the news at that time was
exceptionally good
... Hi Kent,

The last time I spoke to Sonny was
Super Bowl Sunday. It was just on a whim. Every time I'd call before I either
got a message telling me the the number was disconnected or I just got a
voicemail. So I decided to try again and was totally blown away when Sonny
actually answered it himself. I did not expect it, but it was great. I asked him
if he remembered me and he said DAVE ZANE!!!!! How are ya? I told him I'm still
playing with The Buckinghams, to which he said that's great and wanted me to
tell Carl and Nick that he said hi. I kept our talk pretty generic. I didn't
want to stress him in any way after what he had been through. It was so good to
talk to him. I actually was in shock. I really didn't expect him to answer. But
he did. I can tell you that someone told me about a week ago that Sonny is
starting to sing! That's Great News! I keep hearing that his recovery is going
to take awhile so anything like hearing he's starting to sing is so inspiring. I
am planning on calling him again soon as I have messages from Burton Cummings,
Mitch Ryder, and a bunch more. I have also been in contact with Mert Madsen, the
original bass player for the Outsiders. He has been living in his homeland
Denmark since 1971. The Buckinghams are off
to do a gig in Wyoming Thursday. We've got 25+ dates this year and they're still
coming in! We've got some in the Chicago area this year, too ... Des Plaines,
Northbrook, Navy Pier and Beverly. (For the actual dates, you'll have to go to
our website.) As far as me doing other gigs in
between The Bucks, I have two bands of my own ... Zanesway and The Bigger
Picture. Most of the time you can catch either band at The Blue Chip Casino in
Michigan City, Indiana. Zanesway
is more oldies based and The Bigger Picture is more classic. It gives me more
room to stretch. I think your readers would love both bands so people if you
feel like a little get away to Indiana, please come out and see us. I do love playing with The
Buckinghams as they are letting me do my thing. Heck, they've even got me playing harmonica ... and actually
feature me on the Beatles classic, This Boy. Great bunch of guys! I will fill you in on Sonny as soon
as I call him. Thanks, Kent, for
reaching out! Dave Zane The Buckinghams

Thanks, Dave ... that is SUCH good news. Please
let Sonny know that his fans love him and pray for him everyday. Nothing would
please us more than to see Sonny back up on that stage again ... but first and
foremost he's got to take care of himself. Please pass along our best.
(kk) Meanwhile, here's a list of upcoming Buckinghams
dates ...

And you can catch Zanesway at The Blue Chip
Casino on July 12th ... and The Bigger Picture on July
26th.

re: CHECK IT OUT: Beatles Historian (and Mega-Fan) Bruce Spizer has started a series of 50th
Anniversary postings about The Fab Four. You can check 'em out here: www.beatle.netClick here: 50 Years Ago «
beatle.net Sign up for weekly 50th Anniversary updates,
too! (kk)

re: ZZ TOP:

ZZ TOP’S WARNER BROS. STUDIO ALBUMS GET
MASTERED FOR
ITUNESOriginal Mixes Of The Band’s
First 10 Albums Available Now On iTunes Store And As 10-CD
Boxed Set Classic ZZ TOP Videos
Available On YouTube For The First Time At long last, original
mixes of the band’s first 10 studio albums are available, mastered specifically
for iTunes. These include ZZ Tops’ First Album (1971), Rio Grande
Mud (1972), Tres Hombres (1973),
Fandango! (1975)*, Tejas (1976), Degüello (1979), El
Loco (1981), Eliminator (1983), Afterburner (1985)
and Recycler (1990). The albums are available for individual download or
bundled together in ZZ TOP: THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS (1970-1990). All 10
albums are also available on CD in a boxed set of the same name, with each album
presented in a wallet sleeve that faithfully reproduces the original artwork,
including the gatefold designs used for Tres Hombres and Tejas.
This marks the first time that the original mixes for ZZ Tops’ First
Album, Rio Grande Mud and Tejas are available on CD and as
digital download.

Additionally, a dozen of ZZ TOP’s
iconic videos are now available for the first time on YouTube. The band’s
classic videos are some of the most legendary of all time including “The
Eliminator Trilogy,” the videos for “Legs,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’” and “Sharp
Dressed Man” starring the ’33 Ford three window coupe with the ZZ striping along
its flanks and a cadre of leggy beauties. A full list of ZZ TOP videos now
available on YouTube is listed below or follow this link for a full
playlist:

http://bit.ly/ZAKknq. Today, Gibbons, Hill and Beard remain
together performing and recording as, they often say, “the same three guys
playing the same three chords.” The trio offered a statement regarding the
release ofZZ TOP: THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS (1970-1990):
“We're gratified that the albums from the first 20 years of the band
are going to be made available in this set. We're especially delighted to note
the restoration of ZZ Top's First Album, Rio Grande
Mud and Tejas has been incorporated; it's good to have been made
whole again on a certain level.”-- submitted by Bob
Merlis

And, speaking of ZZ
Top, Bob also tells us that they totally rocked at their recent Bonnaroo
performance with a two-hour, career-spanning set. Here are ten good reasons why
ZZ Top is STILL one of music's most interesting and entertaining
acts: Texas blues-rock legends ZZ
Top celebrated their 44th (?!) year as a band with a two-hour, career-spanning
set at Bonnaroo 2013. The trio included tracks ranging from their 1971 debut to
last year's La Futura, playing all the major MTV staples ("Legs,"
"Sharp Dressed Man," "Gimme All Your Lovin'"), early blues tracks ("La Grange,"
"Certified Blues") and covers (Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady.") Despite their
inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to many, they're just "those guys
with beards who made a few videos in the 80s." To familiarize (or re-famiiarize)
yourself with the iconic band, here are 10 reasons why their set was one of
Friday's best.1. Their Suits
Rival Kanye West and Lady Gaga's WardrobeGuitarist Billy Gibbons
and bassist Dusty Hill's symmetrical appearance have caused countless crowd
variants of, "So wait, they're brothers, right?" (They're not.) Besides the
obvious perfection that is their iconic beards, the duo's extravagant,
Mariachi-inspired suits is equal parts regional pride and show business kitsch.
See above for Exhibit A. 2. Drummer Frank
Beard's Kit Is the Size of a Small CountrySeriously. Look at
this.

There are more parts on Beard's drum
kit than people at some Bonnaroo acts. The 25+-piece set includes 10 cymbals,
two bass drums with skulls on them and, for some shows (sadly not this one), a
gong. A gong. Do you know who uses gongs besides servants for kings in movies?
Scary ass Texans who are happy to split your skull in two and use it as a
coaster for their Shiner Bock.3. They Wrote a
Song Based off of a '90s Houston Crack-Rap Track"I Gotsta Get
Paid," the lead single from La Futura, is a reworked cover of "25
Lighters" by Texas rappers DJ DMD, Lil Keke and MC Fat Pat. "I became fixated
with this ‘hypnotic chronicle of the toil of a ghetto hustler'," Gibbons has
said, "and I was determined to use it as the basis for something ZZ Top could
record." It's doubtful many in the Bonnaroo audience spotted the inspiration,
but it's a testament to the group's fearlessness. Video link to ZZ Top's "I Gotsta
Get Paid" http://www.vevo.com/watch/zz-top/i-gotsta-get-paid/USUV71201019 Video link "25 Lighters" by DJ
DMD, Lil Keke and MC Fat Pat http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zPtFb77Gmtk 4. They Brought Texas Pride to Tennessee While McCartney was dragging out the Tennessee flag at the end of
his set an hour earlier, some in the crowd were quick to show their Texas pride.
One man waved a giant Texas flag (because why would anyone behind you want to
see the show?), while numerous Stetsons and cowboy hats could be seen throughout
the crowd. More than one "Yee Haw" was shouted to both the delight and chagrin
of others.5. Their Visuals
Are Surreally PerfectA rattlesnake slithering through sagebrush. An
interminable, empty Texas highway. An isolated oil rig pumping furiously. ZZ
Top's visuals are fiercely Texas; snapshots of an expansive, lonely place. Oh,
and they played the original 1983 video for "Legs," about a girl who lives in a
town solely populated by assh-les while ZZ Top act as leering
voyeurs.6. Their Extended
Guitar Jams Are Still the Blues-Rock StandardThe studio version of
"La Grange," their 1973 song off the essential Tres Hombres, is under
four minutes, but at Bonnaroo, the trio stretched it out to 12, riding a classic
blues-groove made famous by Slim Harpo while augmenting it with dirty guitar and
bass solos.7. They Put Their
Own Style on Classic Rock SongsPaul McCartney teased Jimi
Hendrix's "Foxey Lady" during his headlining set earlier that night, but ZZ Top
performed the full song—a longtime concert staple—with a renewed vigor and fury
Friday night. A middle-aged man behind me told his friend, "Man, I used to clean
up with this song." I refrained from asking him to
elaborate. Video link to ZZ Top "Foxey
Lady" performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vtphcGUAOmc

8. Their Fanbase Had the Widest Age Range

You could make an argument for McCartney, but walking around the
tent, children as young as four danced with AARP members, while middle-aged,
classic rock fans nodded alongside Gen Xers nostalgic for the band's MTV
staples.

10. Their Style
Hasn't Changed in 40 Years and That's OkayZZ Top's first album,
appropriately titled ZZ Top's First Album, was released in 1971, and
while they briefly embraced New Wave in the mid-80s, their rootsy love of boogie
woogie, hard rock and blues have been the cornerstones of their sound for more
than 40 years. There's a reason why their stage was one of the few at
capacity.

Welcome To Forgotten Hits ... Where We're Keeping Yesterday Alive!

Have a comment about one of our posts?Simply send an email to kk@forgottenhits.comand we'll publish the best ones in our Sunday Comments Page.And be sure to check out our OTHER website to read many of our archived articles, Forgotten Hits Oldies Polls and Readers' Favorites: www.forgottenhits.com.(All material copyright 1998 - 2018, Kent Kotal and Forgotten Hits Publishing)

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We're doing our part to help Keep Yesterday Alive ... thanks to a GREAT list of music fans and contributors from all over the world. Forgotten Hits is Oldies Radio's Best Friend ... it's Radio That You Can Read! We're asking the deejays to dig just a LITTLE bit deeper and push the envelope just a LITTLE bit further and take the time to remember and acknowledge some of those GREAT songs and artists that we all know and love that just don't get played anymore ... the ones that traditional oldies radio has forgotten all about with their short, repetitive play lists. Without your help and support, this great music will continue to disappear and fade away.